Spinner mounting



1'. B. MARTIN ErAL Aug. 29, 195o SPINNER MQUNTING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 2, 1945 lNv NToRS 771'MF/5 E. MHH TIN ATTORN EYS Aug. 29, 1950 A T. B. MARTIN' ETA.

SPINNER MOUNTING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2, 1945r lNveNToRs #mM/1s MHgeT/N BYHHRRY R WILLIHMS Patented Aug. 29, 1950 SPINNER MOUNTING Thomas B. Martin and Harry R. Williams, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Dela- Waffe Application @ctober 2, 1945, Serial No. 619,768

14 Claims. (Cl. 170-159) This invention relates to aircraft propellers, and has for a principal object to releasably mount a spinner or fairing piece for the hub with secure locking provisions, which will give a visual indication of the security of the lock.A

A further object of the invention is to provide securing means for a fairing piece about a propeller, which fairing piece may be quickly attached in secured relation, and quickly removed for inspection and service of the enclosed propeller hub or other mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a releasable securing means for a spinner fairing which must be forceably actuated for accomplishing the locked relation, and which will give a clearly perceptible indication when the locking provisions are not secure.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a spinner securing means that requires deliberate action for unlocking before the spinner may be removed from the mechanism enclosed thereby.

A still further object is to provide a visual indicating means that will inform at a distant inspection the exact condition of the spinner securing means.

An additional object of the invention is to mount a spinner shell upon a support with a yielding resilient connection so that vibration will be dampened'and so that rattle will be eliminated, yet the mounting be so secured that it is impossible for looseness or release to take place until deliberate actuation is accomplished.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view with parts broken away to show details of the invention in section, the securing means being in the locked condition.

Fig. 2 is a rear end elevational View of one of the securing means shown in Fig. 1, being a View substantially as indicated by the line and arrows 2-2 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the lock means released but not withdrawn, giving a visual indication that the lock means is not secured.

Fig. 4 is a similar vieW with the lock means completely withdrawn preparatory to removal of the spinner, with the parts also giving a clear visual indication of the fact.

Fig. 5 is a fragmenetary view in top plan, showing the locking means properly secured, it

being a view substantially as indicated by the arrow 5 in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the lock actuating means substantially as indicated by the line and arrows `l--ii of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the spinner lock and retention means substantially as indicated by the line and arrows 'I-'I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View through the securing means for the actuator substantially as indicated by the line and arrows 8 3 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail of means for attaching a iller plate substantially as indicated by the line and arrows 9 9 of Fig. 5.

With particular reference to the drawings, I0 refers to an engine nosing or gear casing from which extends a propeller shaft I2 that supports a propeller hub I4 in driving relation, the hub having sockets I6 that carry blades I8 for pitch shifting movement. Mounted on the hub I4 may be a regulator 20 with control lever 22 for articulated control from the cockpit of the craft, and an accumulator 24 may be anixed at the forward end of the hub by means of screw devices such as shown at 26. Extending beyond the iront end of the hub I4 or such other appended structure as may be incorporated, there is a spinner adapter tube 28 that sldably supports the apex end 30 of a spinner 10. At the rear end of the hub I4, such as at the periphery of the regulator 20, a bulkhead or diaphragm 32 of annular form is secured at its inner periphery and terminates at its outer periphery with a rim or rirn sections 34. The bulkhead may be dished or otherwise fashioned to afford proper juncture with the hub and yet operate to enclose or cover the regulator 2u, and in all events may be pro vided with reinforcements 36 as shown. Y

In the embodiment shown the bulkhead after attaching to the hub Iii or regulator 20 at 38 then cones rearwardly at 35 to end in an annular flat ring il before terminating in the flange 34. An opening Blvaiiords access to the ller plug 39 of the regulator, which opening is closed by a pivoted plate 4I anchored on the coned part 35. At circumferential points about the periphery of the bulkhead and in alignment with each of the blades I8 a iianged plate 42 is attached to the bulkhead by rivets or the like 44 so as to extend radially outside of the flange 34. Rearward extensions 46 of the plates provide face plates or seats for attaching the rear ends of iiller plates 48 attached thereto for completing the enclosure about the blades. The opposite edges of these plates 48 are bent at an angle to provide anges 50, the free end of one of which mounted on the extension.

3 is notched at 52 to anchor beneath the head. of a pin provided on the inside of the spinner in the region of the propeller disc. The anges also rigidify the filler plate so that it can be made out of light gauge metal and not be distorted under the action of centrifugal force when the `propeller' vis rotating. The ller plate l is also flangedat'llfaround the blade notch 5K5 for the same purpose, and an angle bracket B is secured'to the inner surface by means of ush rivets B which provides a shoulder or spacer by p which the plate is held in proper place When The ller plate is held in place by means oi screws el .threading therethrough and through lthe .extensions it .to

anchor in elastic safety nuts 62 somewhat as shown in Fig. 9. It is convenient-and desirable to provide several of the safety nuts 62 on a single strip E@ which is mounted in place on the inner side of the extension 46 by rivets or the like 66.

The form of the spinner fshell member shown is-conical and comprises ,ashell *to naringfrom the; apex-rend 423%,' that-slidably engages the end of tube 28, to a large diameter base portion l2 circumscribing-thebulkheador supporting membenr :andhavinga diameter equal -to the radial limits ofthe extensions-i. Reinforcingzelements l S'Sootthezstud readilyaligns Wit-hholeseil ,in the bulkheadqportion ilhand the .cross slot .1192, `is Yreceptive voi a web or Vbolt `for preventing withdrawal ofjthestu'ds orCseparationof/the Aspinner y romrtheupport.

VT e.stud-,-receiving yholes'. Se yof the .bulkhead are-reinforced :ebyiplateelike rings :QQ :having ears gattached toithejbulkhead .by'rivets as -at '955, andscompres'sible, soft, `rubber-like .rings :Sii .engagi-ngthe rings S are retained'. within. hanged ringsior:cup-washersil to provide Aa cushioning l efiectand.preventvibrationor rattle. *When the spinnerfis assembled-.in-properfrposition with. respe-ctl fto .the bulkhead,4 then the studs Gl 8 Will-projectthrough the holes in the members` Eid, .Q',,'-,

Y andfvlil sothatgthe crossA slot L92 isalmost clear y Y of the ring'i. "The ringe is preferably circular in section in its free state so that Yit will i be readily compressible axially to something like y an elliptical'section as illustrated in Fig. 7 vWhen the lock is -rnoved to secured position. Seating ofthe lockor latch device is assisted by chainfering oneside of the'cross slot 92 as indicated at H32.

"The vlocking means, the lock actuatingmeans and the lock;securing means are -all mounted upon theibulkheadSZ and principally upon the flat portion 49, there being a plurality of all of 1 thedevices equally spaced circumferentially or thevspinner vand bulkhead. In the illustrated embodiment, a set of the locking provisions is disposed behind each of the blades of the propellenunit.v Since each set of provisions is idenn tical, -a. desoription[of one setl .will suice. VThe locking means comprises a reciprocating bar |04 disposed over the aligned holes in the bulkhead and rings receptive of the stud '58, and has an opening we also receptive of the stud 18, which 5 opening provides a Web iet designed to enter the cross slot 92 of the stud 7f3.y The bar is kept disposedl in aligned positionfover thelstud receiving holes byheaded pins-.Lili received byilineally extending slots I l2 in the bar, the pins being reduced in diameter Where they pass through the bulkhead portion il? to Which they are secured by lock'vashers Hd and nuts H5. The bar 34 will thus be capablerof endwise movement as limited by therpins ii D and slots i i2 to allow projection of `theweb :L93 into the cross slot 92 and Withdrawal therefrom. The pins HG also space the -bar -i with respect to the bulkhead so that the assembly of rings Elfi, 98 and i Will not be displaced.

The actuating means for the lock bar IM compuiotze'i immenses: f.

i, and-is 'secured v ut 100k; Washer/o5 rotationof the collar notched oryotheryvise reoeiv K ,hathas-igts other ;end.anchgred 4 semeY of theilerer. L29.- The.-.Spr,1r1 z1S f.S0 stressed that it ytends to frotategthe leverpconstantly in one vdirection about-thepvot 22,*and so that the pin L36 ,ilmrlly end of the slot i', as;

so ast! spsecl ,fear ,aipliig 1.148. reessedsat pti/nereA it ends, ith angularl iisunnorting a ,eu kzrelease fasten The filler plate i8 is appropriately at one l end V of tfhehslojtY M so thatthe Whole lever 4 head .of :theA :plus #i,.,;ar;l.fY .the fextensonf anpropriately aoertured fat'gt 2.- .for passage .of the rto enter; fthe. flokines-recentale, L54 mounted .fon thefstrip fi. 3 'The `'locking receptacle shown ilustrativo ci Qnlvfione, of.. imanyathat may baobtaiuedon theionenzmarket:furthe nurpose. ftinoludes cammingurfaces.andlretainingY notches for cooperationiwith ajicrossgpinrin the .plug l.ifir,.,so nzlien-cthegplug Ais inserted through the :receptacle -.it;n1ay be, lrotated a short distance -.to seat the Acrosspin .in the retaini-ng notches Where it is secure exceptiorndeliberate action on the lpart oian-individual.

fI-'hepartsare:son-eonstitutedtandorganizedithat rotation-fof the-lever :i Itoetheidepressed iposi tion shown in Ejiigs. l, 2,75 and 8, Will;.securely lool: -thespinner supportingfmeans iagainstaccidentalY loosening. iihefleven fl-Etffis thenowholly depressed-andoiers no obstructionupon-f-the-outside contour of the spinner. f:Che plugi'ieating in the-depressions of -theyreceptalet5@ fcannot loo-sen. 'lherefore,the -p i226 jofmthe *lever arm 1215.1 iis imgagainst-the I-l hand -endof the sloot-28 retainingI the lock bard-@projetedto oo hold lthe vWebs ij iii-Within the cross slots ".l'ief dei; 'piarihthregsezrcited (impressi/ve ontne rubber-*lilre'rings that retain la. the 'c the lock means includes `webs shell and in which the lever has a `lost motion connection with the slidably mounted bar, spring means connected to the lever and to the bulkhead for biasing the lever to a position where its men-` tioned oscillatable part is without the contour of the spinner shell and means for securing the lever within the `contour of the spinner shell and said Webs in locking engagement withsaidnotch.

y 7. A spinner structure for an aircraft propeller hub comprising a spinner shell member for streamliningrthe hub, a supporting member for supporting said spinnershell member on the hub, a notched pin carried by the spinner shell member, lock means including a bar slidably mounted on the supporting me-mber and engageable with thel notch of said pin for locking the spinner shell member to the supporting member, pivoted means on one of said members for engaging the lock means for actuating the same, and means carried by the pivoted means and releasably engageabl'e with the supporting member for securing the actuating means against accidental movefor warningragainst operating the propeller with` an unsecured spinner.

8. A spinner structure for an aircraft propell-er hub comprising a spinner shell for streamlining the hub, support means for supporting said spinner shell on the hub, notched pins carried bythe spinnershell, the support means having openings for receiving the pins to locate the spinnershell on the support means, lock means for locking the spinner shell on the support means, said lock means including a bar slidably mounted cn said support means and engageable with the notches of said pins, means for actuating the lock means including a leverpivoted on the support means and having a connection with Ysaid bar for sliding it into and out of engagement with said notches, means carried'by the lever and releasably engageable with the support means'for securing the lever against accidental release, a part of said lever being movable to a positionV outward of the spinner shell, and a spring connected to the lever and to the support means for biasing said part of the lever outwardly of the spinner shell.

9. The structure set forth in claim 8, in which the connection of 'the lever with the sldably mounted bar is a pin and slot connection providing'a range of lostmotion between the lever and the bar that enables the spring to move the mentioned part of the lever outwardly of the spinner shell when the lever is not secured tov the support means against accidental rel-ease and while said bar is engaged with the notches of the notched pins.

l0.-A spinner structure-for an aircraft propeller hub comprising a spinner shell for streamlining .the hub, support means for supporting the spinner shell on the hub, piloting-studs carried by the spinner shell and having transverse notches, the support means having openings for receiving the studs to locate the spinner shellv on the support means, lock means for locking the spinner shell on the support means, said lock means including said studs and a bar that is slldably mounted on the support means and that Y Y( 'onthe slidablyV mounted bar for locking engagementV with the` notch ofV the notched pin carried bythe spinner atados? has slots disposed over said openings of the support means for receiving the studs, compressible ring assemblies carried over said openings and between the support means and said bar, and means for actuating the lock means movably mounted on the support means for engaging the bar to slide it relative to said openings and thereby to move it into and out of engagement with the notches on the studs when the spinner shell is located on the support means, the engageable parts of the bar and notches being formed to compress the ring assemblies about the studs when said parts are brought into engagement by the actuating means. Y

11. The structure set forth in claim' 10, in which the actuating means includes an element biased toward a position outward of the spinner shell when the spinner shell is not secured tothe support means, said el-ement having means releasably engageable with the support means for securing the actuating means against accidental movement and for conning said element within the contour of the spinner shell.

12. An aircraft propeller comprising a hub, blades mounted on the hub, a spinner shell member for covering said hub and the root portion of said blad-es, a supporting member rigidly fastened to said hub and providing a peripheral support for said spinner shell member, positioning means including an opening in the supporting member and a notched pin on the spinner for aligning the spinner shell member with the supporting member, a lock bar slidaloly `mounted @n the supporting member for movement to a spinner locking position Where it locks with the notch of said pin and to a spinner release position where the spinner shell member Vis unlocked from the supporting member, means pivoted to one of said members and connected to the lock bar for sliding it into and out of locking relation with the notched pin, the .pivoted means being movable to a position where a part thereoi extends outwardly of the spinner shell member, means connecting the pivoted means'A and supporting member for biasing said part to the position where it extends outwardly of the spinner shell member when the lock bar is in the Vspinner release position, and means for se- V lcuring the pivoted means against movement when the lock bar is in the spinner locking posi tion.

13. The structure set forth in claim l2, in which the pivoted means is mounted on the sup ,',porting member, the biasing means connecting the pivoted means and the supporting member is a spring, and the pivoted means is entirely within the contour 0f the spinner shell member when the pivoted means is secured against move-v r ment and the lock bar is in spinner locking position.

:14. An aircraft propeller comprising a hub,

blades mounted on a hub, a spinner shell for covering said hub and the root portion of said blades,

support means fastened to said hub and providsupport, compressble assemblies between said Y and to a spinner release posi- Y tion where therspinner shell is unlocked from the` bar and said support means, means pivoted to said support means and engaging the lock bar for sliding it into and out of locking relation with the notched pins, said assemblies being compressed when the lock bar is locked with the notched pins to provide yieldable clamping of the spinner shell to the support means, the pivoted means having a part movable to a position outward of the spinner shell,'a spring connecting the pivoted means and support means for biasing said part to the position outwardly of the spinner shell, and means for securing the pivoted means against movement when the lock bar is in the spinner locking position, said part of the pivoted means extending outwardly of the spinner l5 shell when the pivoted means is not secured against movement.

THOMAS B. MARTIN. HARRY R. WILLIAMS.

REFERENCES CITED following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,992,901 Zeidler Sept. 14, 1937 2,102,373 Moittie Dec. 14, 1937 2,211,217 Peterson Aug. 13, 1940 2,219,425 Voysey Apr; 14, 1942 2,365,673 Marshall May 8, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Nufnber Country Date 498,157 Great Britain Aug. 8, 1938 551,313 Great Britain Feb. 17, 1943 573,388 Germany Apr. 1, 1933 

